Shloka 19
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
हेमदण्डथरो राजन् कमण्डलुधरस्तथा । कच्छपीं सुखशब्दां तां गृह्द वीणां मनोरमाम्,राजन्! महातपस्वी नारद जटामण्डलसे मण्डित हो सुनहरा चीर धारण किये हुए थे। उन्होंने कमण्डलु, सोनेका दण्ड तथा सुखदायक शब्द करनेवाली कच्छपी नामक मनोरम वीणा भी ले रखी थी
hemadaṇḍadharo rājan kamaṇḍaludharas tathā | kacchapīṃ sukhaśabdāṃ tāṃ gṛhītvā vīṇāṃ manoramām ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, the great ascetic Nārada appeared bearing a golden staff and a water-pot; and he also held the delightful vīṇā called Kacchapī, whose sound is pleasing.” The scene underscores the authority of a sage whose spiritual discipline and sacred music together signal counsel meant to steady minds amid the turmoil of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral and spiritual authority of a rishi: Nārada’s ascetic emblems (kamaṇḍalu, staff) and his sacred music (vīṇā) signify guidance rooted in tapas and dharma—meant to calm, instruct, and reorient conduct even in a war-driven setting.
Vaiśampāyana describes Nārada’s appearance before the king: he arrives as a great ascetic carrying a golden staff and water-pot, and holding the melodious vīṇā named Kacchapī—an introduction that typically precedes counsel, prophecy, or ethical instruction.